The World Council of Churches (WCC) has condemned the recent killing of two Catholic priests in Africa, one in South Sudan and the other in Cameroon.

The international Christian umbrella organization noted that Jesuit Father Victor Luke Odhiambo was attacked and killed by unknown people on the night of Nov. 15 in Cueibet, South Sudan.

The secretary general of the WCC, Reverend Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, said the late priest was known for his commitment to education and social transformation for local people.

Odhiambo, the first Kenyan Jesuit priest, was also the principal of Mazzolari Teachers College and acting superior of the Cuibet Community of the Jesuits in South Sudan.

In Cameroon, Kenyan Father Cosmos Omboto was killed Nov. 21 outside his office by crossfire between the military and separatists.

He was only ordained a month earlier and known for working with people displaced by the ongoing conflict in Cameroon.

“We condemn these attacks, and we hold the victims, their families, their communities and their church in prayer,” Rev. Tveit said.

“These attacks are even more abhorrent because we have lost two peacemakers who dedicated their lives to bringing justice to their respective countries.”

He called for a redoubling of Christian efforts to counter hate and intolerance, as well as promoting respect for diversity, human dignity and freedom of religion.

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